A4D from time to time seeks a new trustee to join its Board and take an active part in promoting and supporting the charity in pursuance of its aims.

What A4D would like from trustees

Trustees meet for about two hours approximately six times a year, either on Zoom or at a Central London Location such as London Arts and Health Hub, in the City, usually on a Monday evening.

Trustees guide strategy and direction. Recognising that the charity is limited in personnel, assistance in whatever way possible is welcome, especially in fund-raising.

Trustees act as ambassadors for A4D. A4D welcomes connections and introductions to further its work with arts organisations, in the dementia world and politically (around the Prime Minister‘s Challenge on dementia 2020, encouraging “prescription for arts” on diagnosis); and for fundraising.

There are opportunities to assist in areas of special interest, e.g. arts and dementia, on finance committee, marketing, fundraising, events, website, IT, etc.

Trustee role description

The Board aims for trustees to represent and work in support of the development of the charity in the delivery of its mission and in pursuit of funding, and to ensure its proper and efficient governance, management and operation.

To:

• contribute to robust governance of the charity,
• ensure adherence to regulatory requirements; and pursuit of good practice in its delivery to beneficiaries and in governance,
• develop policy and strategy,
• represent and act as ambassador for the charity,
• act in the best interests of beneficiaries at all times,
• develop, maintain and utilise useful contacts in the worlds of the arts, culture and medicine in support of programme development and attracting funds,
• contribute any personal special expertise and experience, such as in medicine, technology, funding, finance and marketing, etc,
• help organise fund-raising,
• attend and contribute usefully to regular meetings of the Board and any relevant committees.

Trustee person specification

A4D seeks trustees who can:

• bring in new ways of reaching A4D’s beneficiaries
• bring new ideas or contacts to help A4D raise funds and help organise fund-raising events
• bring introductions/ expertise for the worlds of medicine or culture
• bring different points of view to a discussion
• give insight into A4D’s beneficiaries’ needs and experience – generally helpful if a trustee has some experience of dementia [particularly arts and dementia]
• make contacts in the community
• think of new ways of doing things
• work with, or share expertise with other charities and agencies in the field of practice
• keep pace with developments in technology and can see applications in A4D’s work
• bring a commercial approach
• bring senior commercial connections, eg one corporate has provided A4D with office space and occasional sponsorship
• bring a connection with dementia

A4D welcomes applications from all who meet the specification and wish to contribute; particularly, to strengthen the balance of the Board, from those of ethnic minority, under 60, and with a disability.

Trustees are also company directors of A4D and will be registered at Companies House.

Applications are invited, explaining interest in becoming a trustee in maximum 200-word statement, with a maximum 2-A4 page CV, by email to penny@arts4dementia.org.uk

Persons interested in more information about A4D and to discuss becoming a trustee are welcome to telephone the Chief Executive, Penny Fosten, for an informal chat, on 020 3633 9959.

Likely potentially successful applicants may be invited for an informal meeting with Board representatives.